West Coast Native Art
Northwest Coast societies did not pass their
culture through written language as they did
not have written words like most cultures.
Rather, their culture and heritage was shared
with future generations through the use of
imagery and oral tradition. Deeply embedded
in native art is historical meaning and content
which tells a story of a time and place in native
history.
The key elements of First Nations art are line,
colour, and form. The lines used are bold and
strong and not jagged. Through the use of smooth
and curving lines, clear boundaries and shapes
are created. In addition, form line changes
constantly, in both thickness and direction. Bold
contrasting colors are used in Native art which
allows the areas of colour to be obvious and clear.
Traditionally, the colours used in northwest coast
art are black and red with black being the primary
colour of the form line.
A distinct element in First Nations art is form. The
basic components in NWC art: ovoid, inner ovoid,
U-form, split U-form, and the S-form. The
combination of these forms, combined with
anatomical features, are used to form various
animals such as killer whales, sea lions, and
eagles.
Basic components of West Coast Native Art:
The Bear is a symbol of great strength, authority and mobility, and is an
important family crest. Because of its power and human-like qualities, the
bear was referred to by West Coast people as Elder Kinsmen. When killed,
it was taken to the chief's house, sprinkled with eagle down (a symbol of
welcome and friendship) and generally treated as a high ranking guest.
•The bear is a symbol of: Strength, Learned Humility, Motherhood &
Teaching. It is the protector of the animal kingdom, awakening the power of
the unconscious.
Beaver is an important crest and the subject of many legends. One
legend tells of the origin of the beaver: A woman with brown hair
dammed a small stream to make a pool for swimming. As she swam,
her leather apron kept slapping the water. The pool became a lake and,
because of scolding words from her husband, she refused to leave it.
She became covered with brown fur, her apron turned into a tail, and
thus she became the first beaver. Beaver reminds us that we have to
act on our dreams to make them a reality.
Creative, Artistic and Determined. Also known as the
carpenter of the animal kingdom. A builder of dreams.
The Eagle is a symbol of great wisdom, authority and power. Long a
symbol of spiritual power and illumination, eagles inspire people of all
societies. Their energy is healing and it aids in creation. One of the
principal crests of the West Coast Indians. Many myths and legends
surround the Eagle. Eagle down (feathers), a symbol of peace and
friendship, was, and still is, sprinkled before guests in welcome dances
and other ceremonial occasions.
Great Strength, Leadership, Prestige, Spirit healing and Creation. Eagle also
has a strong connection to Peace
The Heron is a follower of ones own path. No structure,
little stability and no security.
Patience, Graceful, Aggressive self determination and self reliance.
The Whale is a popular symbol for romance as they mate
for life. The Whale, like the Wolf, stays with its family and
travel in large pods.
Traveler & Guardian - Symbol of Good, Power of Song, Awakening Inner
Depths
Revered because it was a good hunter, the wolf symbolizes
cunning and was often associated with a special spirit a man had
to acquire to become a successful hunter. As Wolves mate for life
and live in close family units usually traveling in packs, they are
regarded as a family-oriented symbol in West Coast Native
culture. Wolf is the land manifestation of the Killer Whale as they
mate for life, protect their young and do not separate from their
families.
Intelligence & Leadership - Strong Sense of Family, Guardianship, Ritual
and Spirit
The Frog was a guardian symbol. When strangers
approached, the croaking of the frog would serve as a
warning. The Frog was said to have warned humans of
impending danger. The Frog is frequently depicted in the
art of the Northwest Coast and many legends are attached
to this whimsical little animal.
Spring & New Life - Communicator, Stability
The Thunderbird: A mythological bird who was the creator
and controller of all elements and spirits. When he flew, the
flapping of his wings caused the thunder, and the flashing of
his eyes caused the lightning. He lived in the highest of
mountains.
Powerful & Mystical - A Leader of All.
A symbol of abundance and prosperity, the salmon was the chief
sustenance for the West Coast Indians. The Pacific Northwest Coast
people believed that Salmon were actually humans with eternal life who
lived in a large house far under the ocean. In the Spring, they put on
their Salmon disguises and offered themselves to the villagers as food.
The tribes believed that when entire fish skeletons were returned to the
sea, the spirits would rise again and change into Salmon people. In this
way, the cycle could begin again the following year.
Dependability and Renewal - A Provider
One of the most prominent figures of the first peoples, the
Raven is credited with giving the light, fire, and water to the
Indians. He had the power to change at will into an animal
form or to that of a human being. The Raven is the
transformer, trickster and creator. Known in legends as the
one who released the sun, moon, and stars; discovered
man in a clamshell; brought the salmon and the water; and
taught man how to fish and hunt.
Creation & Knowledge - Bringer of the Light, magic
No bird has as much myth and mystery surrounding it as
the owl. Part of this mystical aura is due to the fact that the
bird is nocturnal and the night time has always seemed
mysterious to humans. The owl is a symbol of the feminine,
the moon, and the night. Because of it association with the
moon it has ties to fertility and seduction.
Wisdom, Omens, Vision of the night
The Loon is very much a part of the West Coast aura; it plays a
significant part in the symbols of the West Coast Indians. The loon is
always around water, and water is the ancient symbol for the astral
plane, dreams and other levels of consciousness. Loons ask you pay
attention to your dreams. The Loons call though melancholy and eerie
may also be telling you that all your hopes, wishes and dreams you
may have tucked away in the back of your heart are about to come to
the surface. If you compromise your dreams you may truly find yourself
haunted.
Peace, Tranquility - Generous Giving Nature, reawakening of old hopes
wishes and dreams.
The Moon lightens the darkness of the night. The Moon was the
exclusive crest of only a few of the highest ranking chiefs. The
Raven is said to have released the Moon into the sky and the
stars are pieces of the Moon that flung off when Raven tossed it
up into the air.
Protector and Guardian of the Earth by Night